Over two decades ago, determined to enhance productivity and living standards through education, Ashfaq Mohiuddin, a native of the Gurnee area, began volunteering to teach General Educational Development (GED) classes in Chicago. During visits home, and while attending Muslim prayer services in Gurnee, Mohiuddin noticed a similar educational need in northeast Lake County.
An employee at UMMA’s Harvest Market manages the distribution of free fresh produce to patrons.
Mohiuddin found commonalities between Waukegan, North Chicago, and Zion with Chicago’s South Side. These areas faced significant high school dropout rates among the Latino and Black communities. As a response, he initiated a GED training program in Waukegan, laying the foundation for the Urban Muslim Minority Alliance (UMMA).
UMMA started as a small tutoring center in 2004. Over time, it expanded into a resource hub on 10th Street, Waukegan, offering education, affordable housing, and a free grocery service. Today, UMMA is transforming a former school into an adult community center.
Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham echoed the importance of UMMA’s growth, stating that the organization has evolved to meet the city’s and its neighbors’ needs. It provides a comprehensive package, from job search assistance to food and housing, catering to community demands.
During UMMA’s expansion, Mohiuddin’s own career flourished. Apart from volunteering, he designed data and analytic systems for top companies and later founded Ruvu AI, a firm aiding businesses with artificial intelligence adoption. Although he now resides in northern California, he remains UMMA’s president, while daily operations are managed by Executive Director Hamaas Ibrahim.
Ibrahim, who began as a GED volunteer in 2004, became the executive director in March, 2024. Initially conducting classes from a modest facility on Washington Street, UMMA quickly realized the need to offer skills beyond a GED diploma, including job application training and Microsoft Office programming.
Subsequently, UMMA introduced computer and language courses, emphasizing English and Spanish, to meet job market demands. Ibrahim noted that bilingual abilities significantly enhanced job prospects.
UMMA also developed networks connecting participants to local employers offering a living wage. Relocating to a larger Washington Street building after a decade enabled the introduction of additional services, such as a small food pantry.
In response to the arrival of Syrian and Rohingya refugees, UMMA launched coat drives, food distributions, and rental aid programs, while incorporating financial literacy into its curriculum to better prepare families for economic well-being.
Acknowledging the need for more spacious affordable housing, UMMA set a goal to acquire three homes in three years, ultimately achieving this in just 18 months. By 2023, the organization could purchase a two-story building at 10th Street and McAlister Avenue, establishing the Harvest Market on the ground floor, which opened two years ago.
The market is designed like a grocery store, allowing shoppers to select and take home their choice of fresh produce. Approximately 600 people visit each week, with Wednesdays specially set aside for seniors over 55 years old.
Housing units, including family-sized apartments, occupy the building’s upper floor. In 2004, UMMA acquired a former Catholic school on 10th Street, intending to transform it into an adult community center.
Plans involve moving their offices and classes from Washington Street to the new location on 10th Street, accompanied by the launch of expanded programs. These include AI classes, trades pathways, health and wellness courses, a fitness and wellness center, and the addition of a nurse practitioner to educate the community on common health issues.
Leave a Reply